Bottoms, Jesse V., Sr.

(born: 1906 - died: 1995)

In 1952, Jesse Voyd Bottoms, Sr. became the first African American graduate of Louisville Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was also a graduate of Simmons Bible College (now Simmons College of Kentucky), later serving in many capacities at the school, including as a teacher and the dean. Bottoms helped organize the local arrangements for the March on Washington. Jesse V. Bottoms, Sr. was born in Versailles, KY, the son of Charley and Harriett Bottoms [source: 1920 U.S. Federal Census]. He was the husband of Florence Carter Bottoms. For more see "Civil Rights Activists Jesse Bottoms, 89, dies," Lexington Herald-Leader, 01/19/1995, Obituaries section, p. B2.

Read about the J. V. Bottoms oral history interview available at the University of Kentucky Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, item record in the SPOKE Database.